Wichita eagle., 1887-07-27
OF er SHINY gas.
/ followed Craddeck's index finger with my

l followed Craddeck's index finger with my
eye.
"Hit's that blackish lookin' yeth this side
that passeI nv pines"
Viewed from my standpoint the place
looked brushy, ragged and barren.
"Why did the colonel especially want that
land for Dildyg" I inquired.
Dunno es kin tell you, savin' hits cheaper
than lower down: but hits $50O-en no good
wishin' fur hit-dunno but 'twould be q
pow'ful bother havin' so much lam savin' fur
stock"
IF you had the money you could no doubt
purchase better land nearer to youF' sug-
gested.
"Thur's a sight Nv Lam, but hit costs double,
en- guy the cun'el my say so, to git that fur
Dildy-on'y the cunel wur sick en- thought a
bit Nv glass mout tex somebody's eye" and
Joe Craddeck tore Off quid of tobacco from
a huge twist in his pocket and slowly put it
in his mouth-that same grim amusement in
his keen, clear eyes.
Evidently the mountaineer regarded this
legacy to Dildy half in kindly pity, half in
jest.
THE cun'el wur SICK" he repeated in apollo
getic explanation.
about that gen." began warily. That
shiny bit of glass is worth more than enough
to buy zen such tracts
Naturally, the Councils" belief in the value
of the pin having been SO long matter of
scorn, / found it difficult to convince Grad
deck of the truth. His skepticism was per-
vaded by very plain doubt of my sanity.
Hits turribul Gurus, stranger, en- you
.ol- l. 4
conviction.
Dildy's dark, soft eyes seemed to catch the
first convincing sparkle Of the diamond as
explained and pointed out the difference be-
tween a gem of first quality and "bit Of
glass"
"Father, you go with the strange gentle
man to town; the stranger knows a dia-
mond," was Dildy's low spoken but decisive
assurance.
"True huff, Dildy; but, wife, hain't thur
some writin' of the cun'ei's in that ar grand
overcoat Nv his'n? Wife put hit away till
somebody KEN fur EN-"
The overcoat was brought out and I'M
wrapped. In the side pocket found a few
lines. hastily written:
"This coat is for Joseph Craddeck, my
diamond pin for his child Dildy, am glad to
die nameless and unknown"
This was the strange, pathetic will of the
luckless refugee remembered solely as "the
cun'el." Not trace of his identity had been
left behind him.
The mountaineer looked down at the bare
track of brush land at the base of the ridge.
That's mon my hard old head kin wuk
out" he solemnly asserted, that the cun'el
thought enough Nv me to guv me SIGH a
grand coat. Wife, roll it up agin; I'd be
'shamed to put hit on; my old butternut will
do fur me-
In spite of remonstrance the o-ercoat was
returned to its resting place, and Craddeck in
his "butternut' set out for the city to verify
my claims as to the value of Dildys legacy.
The stone proved to be fine one. 1t was
easily disposed of for $1,000 The mountain
Ger folded the notes with unmoved deliber-
alton, and slowed them away in huge, well
worn pocketbook. "My old wallet hain't use
to havin' sich power OF money in hit" he
observed III some satisfaction. Owe got to
git some books for Dildy, seein' the money is
nern."
"Is there nothing you want for yourselfln
inquired when the books were all selected.
Dunno es there's anything want-reckon
we'll gu Ddt-h W Stranger
whur hit hain't SO lonesome"
Dildy's eyes frightened at the sight Of the
books. She touched them tenderIy and care
fully, and read them hungrily.
"Ill go down an buy that lam from ole
man Finch to-morrer," the mountaineer said
as he Lit his pipe and sat down to smoke in
satisfaction.
@You have the money to buy good land
now" reminded him.
stranger, l gin the cun'el my say so to git
hat ar track Nv lam for Dildy Dunno es
ever lied to nobody, but leastways / hain't
ywine 10 lie to the cun'el," was the decisive
reply.
left the Craddeck cabin the next morn
ng. Perhaps no one will wonder that /
found my way back before many months
elapsed, or that Dildy, still sweet and lovely
and trif1e unsophisticated, is no longer in
The cabin. We have great, capacious man.
ZION, where the mountain breezes bring up
fragrance of pines from Piney ridge. Smok-
ing chimneys and a village of houses at the
base of the ridge show that the Councils" pre-
liction has been fulfilled.
"The cun'el said hit wur with a fortn, en-
bought hit fur Dildy, es gin him my say so
would" the mountaineer relates. They've
lone done foun' coal on hit en- spilled good
cattle range, but hits med Dildy pow'ful
itch, en- ali wild nuthin' savin' buzzom pin
-"Inde" in New York Mercury.